IllusionX

So I hit a nasty pothole the other day and the instrument cluster told me to check my right fog, which was fine. Then about an hour later it told me to check my left fog, which was also fine. It was also raining really bad.

Yesterday I went to jump in the car and it told me to check left and right parking lights, which were both on. Not flashing or anything. I have AZNOptics LEDs in, have had for about 3 months now with no issue.

Anyone know what I can do to fix this? If I go to Benz will they complain about the bulbs?

IllusionX

Anyone have insight? I'm gonna try to change the bulbs out and put them back in and see if it clears it.. anyway to clear the computer?

Mixedfruits

Happened to me but only the rear tailight I just left it alone it never poped up again is it still happening try driving a few days

AZN Optics

Odd, you might have knocked something loose with that bump. Does the error lights for the fogs and parking lights still come up or have they gone away?

IllusionX

Just the parking lights. I just turned my lights on to check and it didn't come on, I guess I'll see tonight.

IllusionX

So I made an appointment for next week at the Benz in freehold, if its still happening I'll change em out before I go to test it. You think they would tell me that the reason is because of the bulbs if I leave them in?

P.s. I'm going because my radio knob in the center console stopped working and I have a nasty steering shake at 65, which was there before the pothole. The plus side is they're giving me a loaner.

IllusionX

So it was great weather outside today so I decided to try to fix the issue. I went ahead and removed the LEDs from the parking lights and put regular bulbs back in and for some reason it still said to check parking lights. So I put the LEDs back in for the meantime and I'll wait to see what Benz says. Anyone know a way to reset the computer?

Mike

Azn_C300

If you put stock bulbs back in and it still shows that issue, then sounds like something else got knocked loose. When you go back to dealer, just put stock bulbs back in so it'd be one less thing they can try to blame on and deny warranty.

IllusionX

So I went ahead and changed the bulbs back to stockys.. I'm kind of a moron cause I thought the parking lights were something else but after pulling the bulbs out I know why it freaked out. Still have no lightage with stocks in on the closer parking lights to the center of the car. Outer ones work and so do sidemarkers. Snapped a pic of the LEDs too.



Bringing to Benz tomorrow and just going to tell them that parking light message came on. I also tested bulbs on the left and they don't work at all now. I'm just bummed because I've had them in since January and this is the first issue I've had. =[

Mike

Edit sorry for crappy iPhone 4 pic.

IllusionX

Quick update, I feel like a pain in the ***.. Got in the car a few hours later, all messages were gone and all lights worked. Now I'm just confused. I guess we will see what Benz says tomorrow.

Mike

AZN Optics

Yeah, those inners were plugged in too far. Whenever you have component seperation, it's the solder getting compromised due to extra heat from over insertion. Common install issue with all open circuitry LEDs. Your outers and sidemarkers look fine as there's no shifting going on suggesting imminent failure. Shoot me a PM with your address and color. Even though you're out of warranty period, I'll take care of you

IllusionX

Could've been install screw up on my part, you think hitting that bad of a pothole could've shfited em? AZN, you are the man. PMing now.

Mike

AZN Optics

Without knowing just how bad the impact was, no way for me to tell, but I doubt that would have been the cause because it usually takes about 3 weeks to 2 months for failure to occur from over insertion. You started having issues fairly quickly after it happened, so unless you ran your lights for 10+ hours straight, I don't think it would have caused it. Just a coincidence it happened when you hit that pothole. Don't worry, I take care of my MBWorld peeps

gwai_jai

Hey Michael(AZN)... think you can post a pic as to how far it's suppose to go in?... i should be getting my lights this week (fingers crossed..stupid canada post/customs sucks).

Thanks!

AZN Optics

It's just a bit of common sense. The voltage clip on the connector needs to just come in contact with the voltage plates on the LED without coming into contact with the first resistor.

There are a couple ways you can figure out if you've plugged them in too far....

1. (requires 2 people) pull out your stock bulb. Position the LED to be plugged in, but don't plug it in yet. Have someone turn on the lights, then plug them in. As soon as they light up and hold tight, stop pushing them in. Reason for having 2 people is because if you leave the socket unplugged for too long, your car will register a bulb out there and cut power to the socket.

2. (method I prefer) Over insert the LED on purpose. Turn them on for a couple seconds, then turn off. Feel the LED. It'll be scorching hot to the touch, even while off. This is NOT normal operating temps and now you know how it shouldn't be. Let it cool off, then pull it out to where you think it should be. Turn it on again for a few seconds then turn off. Touch the LED again. It should be significantly cooler to the touch...still hot, but not scorching hot. That's normal operating temps and you've not got them plugged in correctly. If it's still the same scorching hot, congratulations, you've just saved yourself (and myself) some headache 1-2 months down the road as it's still over inserted and pull it out some more. I've had mine now for almost a year now and have no issues using this method.

Also another note (this is actually in the instructions I include), even though you've got them plugged in correctly, there's still a chance you might accidently push them in too far as you go about plugging the connector back into the headlight housing as you ferret out the housing hole. Grip the LED and connector 50/50 to make sure it doesn't get bumped in.

gwai_jai

@AZN: Gotcha.. Thanks!

@op: sorry, kinda stole your thread

IllusionX

Hahah no problem! Better to ask then freak out like me.